The Essence of [CD de audio] Fats Waller

Not only was Fats Waller one of the greatest pianists jazz has ever known, he was also one of its most exuberantly entertaining entertainers, and as is often the case, one facet tends to obscure the other. This 50-track collection covers his best work from 1929 to 1943, the year of his death. We begin with an early version of the 'Handful Of Keys' standard and then concentrate on the recordings on which Waller's reputation primarily rests, i.e. those made primarily in the mid-1930s under the name Fats Waller and his rhythm. All original recordings digitally remastered. It has its successes no. #1 hit 'Smarty (You Know It All)', 'It's A Sin To Tell A Lie' and their #1 hit. No. 1 hit 'Two Sl eepy People', as well as other favorites including 'A Porter's Love Song To A Chambermaid', 'I Wish I Were Twins', 'Twelfth Street Rag' and 'Honeysuckle Rose'.